Welcome Pack Welcome to Oxford Harlequins M&Js And so a new season of Mini and Junior rugby begins at Oxford Rugby Football Club, where we are rightly proud of the achievements and the excellent attitude of our young players. Whether you are a returning player, transferring from another club or trying rugby for the first time, you are most welcome. Community Rugby Oxford is a local club in the heart of North Oxford, with strong links to local schools. We are delighted by the number of players who progress up the age levels and into our senior teams. Keeping players involved throughout their school days and beyond means that they benefit from being part of the rugby family and from the friendships and health benefits that our sport offers. The club aims to ensure that players, coaches, parents, spectators and volunteers uphold the Core Values of rugby union, Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. These values will stand our young people in good stead both on and off the rugby pitch and are reflected in the RFU s Code of Rugby. At Oxford Harlequins Minis & Juniors we strive to: Play to win - but not at all costs Win wih dignity, lose with grace Observe the Laws and regulations of the game Respect opponents, referees and participants Reject cheating, racism, violence and drugs Value volunteers and paid officials alike Enjoy the game
Oxford Harlequins Minis & Juniors provides rugby for children of all ages and abilities. Our Minis section caters for children from six years old (Under 7s) up to 11 years old (Under 12s). The Junior section provides for children from 12 years old (Under 13s) up to 18, at which age they can join the senior section. All age groups adhere to the RFU Age Grade Regulation 15 (rfu.com/ regulations), a playing and coaching pathway by which clubs and schools introduce rugby in three incremental stages (Mini- Midi Rugby) so that by Under 13 level, players have the skills and knowledge to participate in the full 15-a-side game. Coaching Young players are coached under the RFU Age Grade Regulations and boys and girls train and play together up to and including the Under 12 age group. Beyond this, boys and girls play separately, for safety reasons. All lead coaches at Oxford are qualified to UK Coaching standards. We aim to have for each age group at least one Level 1 qualified coach, which means they are trained and accredited and most Junior age groups also have a number of level 2 coaches in their ranks. If you are interested in becoming a rugby coach, please contact Charles Lovibond. Refereeing The club has qualified referees to officiate at matches. However, to cover all matches every weekend, we are always actively recruiting referees. You do not need to have any previous rugby experience as training is provided. Staying in touch Safeguarding children & vulnerable adults At Oxford Harlequins Minis & Juniors we are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Everyone works in partnership to promote children s welfare, health and development and all allegations and suspicions of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately. www.oxfordharlequinsjuniors.co.uk for match reports, news and information Email: info@oxfordharlequinsjuniors.co.uk FaceBook: OxfordHarlequinsJuniors Twitter: OxHarlequinsMJs
Adults involved in any activity of a specified nature (e.g. teaching, training, care, supervision, advice, treatment or transport) which involves contact with children or vulnerable adults, intensively and or/ overnight (frequently or intensively meaning carrying out the role at least once a week, or four times a month or more) must have an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure processed and risk assessed by the RFU. This is in line with the RFU s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy, which is implemented within this club. CRB certificate applications are free and are only seen by the individual applicant and the RFU Safeguarding team at Twickenham, where clearance is approved. For further information regarding the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults contact Angela Taylor the Club Safeguarding Officer. Angela Taylor will be on duty most Sunday mornings in and around the clubhouse; if unavailable please contact Jonathan Valentine, Chairman. First aid In the event of a player being injured, in the absence of the parents the team officials are responsible for deciding whether further medical assistance is required. Parents and/or guardians will be contacted as quickly as possible. The club has invested in First Aid training and each age group has a first aid kit and qualified First Aider available during training or matches at the club. Transport In most instances it is the responsibility of parents, not the club, to transport their child to and from the club or nominated meeting point. If parents make arrangements between themselves this is a private arrangement and at the parents discretion. In the event of a late collection coaches and volunteers will attempt to contact the parents, wait with the child, preferably in the company of others, notify the Club Safeguarding Officer and remind parents of their responsibility to collect their child promptly. Photographic Images We encourage the taking of appropriate images of children involved in rugby celebrating the Core Values of the sport. The RFU s guidance for parents and the paid and volunteer workforce can be found on the Safeguarding pages of rfu.com. It is based on common sense and we would ask everyone to read and comply with this guidance. Any parent or guardian who does not want their child photographed for any reason should talk in confidence to the team s coach or manager. We will then take all reasonable steps to ensure the child is not photographed whilst playing or training at the club. Training, selection & availability Training for the Mini Section is on Sunday morning from 10.30am, with matches usually kicking off at 10.45am.. Any alterations will be notified by the team coach or manager. At Oxford we want to ensure that all children have opportunities to play, selection for individual matches being the responsibility of team coaches and managers.
Junior age groups train during the week but not at the same time due to congestion under the floodlights; please ask your age group coach for details regarding which evening and at what time. Junior age groups also train on Sunday mornings at 10.30am with matches usually kicking off at 11am. However pitch congestion and other factors often cause kick-off times to vary but each coach should notify their teams of the specific details for each match. Oxford Harlequins Minis & Juniors will aim to maximise playing opportunities for all, with selection for particular matches being the responsibility of team coaches and managers. All training and home games are held at Marston Ferry Road with few exceptions. Parents & Guardians Remain responsible for their children at training/ matches and are encouraged to stay, especially if their children are in the Mini section. Punctuality Children should be in rugby kit ready to start sessions on time, especially on match days. Please let the coach know if your child is unavailable to train or play as they will not want to let team mates down. Two-way conversation Get to know your team s coach and manager who will be glad to chat and receive constructive feedback or particular information regarding your child. Necessary kit As with most sports, players need kit, at the club this will be: rugby boots, socks, shorts and shirt, mouth guard, and water bottle. Team shirts should be worn on match days. Shorts should be navy blue. Kit and items are available from the club shop. Boots, with safety studs, should be certified to IRB regulations. In warm, dry weather trainers or melded boots may be acceptable. Mouth guards are strongly recommended. Any other protective equipment is worn at the discretion of the parent/ player but must conform to IRB standards (a reputable sports shop can advise). Wearing layers means players can discard items as they warm up. Waterproof tops must not have zips. Waterproof training tops are available for purchase at the club shop.
Contact information Jonathan Valentine Minis & Juniors Chairman, 07710 096644, valentij@visa.com Justin Rees Treasurer, justin@reesus.eclipse.co.uk Angela Taylor Safeguarding Officer, 07742 456017, angelajanette@aol.com Stuart Wells Minis Representative, 07771 880555, stu.wells@gmail.com Glen Chapman Committee member, 07798 672155, glen@sweetcroft.co.uk Craig Twyford Social events and fundraising, 07850 305813 www.oxfordharlequinsjuniors.co.uk/contacts/contacts.html Oxford RFC, Marston Ferry Road, Oxford OX2 7EE.